Oklahoma scene: UCO hosts Division II softball regional at Edmond North High School

May 4, 2012|Oklahoman

The University of Central Oklahoma will host an NCAA Division II softball regional tournament for the first time in program history, this weekend at Edmond North High School.

UCO, ranked No. 2 in the country with a 39-5 record, is making its sixth NCAA tournament appearance overall. The Bronchos are favored in the South Central Regional II Tournament, which includes Emporia State, Kan. (39-9), Abilene Christian, Texas (29-11) and Incarnate Word, Texas (29-23). Central Oklahoma's first game is 7 p.m. Friday against Incarnate Word. Abilene Christian and Emporia State will play at 4:30.

A complete tournament schedule can be found on Page 8C. The South Central Regional II champion advances to a best-of-3 series May 11-12 against the South Central Regional I winner. Eight regional champions advance to the Division II World Series, scheduled May 16-19 in Louisville, Ky.

UCO's pop and pitching played a part in a school-record 35-game win streak this season. The Bronchos lead Division II with 63 homers. Nathalie Timmermans (21), Kacie Edwards (16) and Megan Whitmire (10) are the team's top-three power batters, although Edwards will miss the tournament with a knee injury suffered in the regular-season finale. Amanda McClelland is 18-1 with a 3.23 earned run average in the pitching circle. She complements Rachael Steverson, who is 21-4 with a 2.71 ERA.

Edmond North High School is located at 215, W. Danforth. Tickets are $8.

SLINGIN' SAM TO HOST CAMP

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford will replace injured Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson as the summer football camp host at the OU Intramural Fields in Norman. The Heisman Trophy winner from OU and Putnam City North will attend the July 10-11 camp, which is open to boys and girls ages 7-14.

Bradford is replacing Peterson, who is still recovering from a knee injury he sustained last season. College and high school coaches from the Norman area will assist Bradford.

Campers receive an autographed team photo with Bradford, a T-shirt and goody bag. Cost is $199, and registration is available at http://www.sambradfordcamp.com or by calling (888) 389-2267.

COWGIRLS' VINES NAMED TOP PLAYER

Oklahoma State junior Kelsey Vines was named Big 12 Women's Golfer of the Year and the league's Newcomer of the Year. The Brigham Young University transfer had six top-10 finishes this season, including two tournament wins. She finished the regular season ranked 24th in the nation. Vines tied for eighth place at the Big 12 Championships. She is just the second player in Big 12 history to win both awards, joining former OSU standout Caroline Hedwall.

*Veronique Drouin-Luttrell of Oklahoma was named Big 12 Coach of the Year. Drouin-Luttrell guided the Sooners to the Big 12 championship, the program's first title since 2001 under former coach Carol Ludvigson.

WORLD CUP TICKETS AVAILABLE

Single-session tickets are on sale for the World Cup of Softball VII at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. The U.S. will join top fast-pitch teams from Brazil, Canada, Netherlands and Puerto Rico for the June 28-July 2 event. Tickets start at $10 each for general admission. Reserved seats are $25. Tickets can be purchased by calling (800) 654-8337 or by going to SoftballOutlet.com. The U.S. will play Puerto Rico at 6 p.m. June 28; Australia at 11:30 a.m. June 29; Netherlands at 11 a.m. June 30; Brazil at noon July 1; and an opponent to be determined on July 2.

JUDGE OKs WOMEN'S TESTIMONY

A judge says prosecutors who have accused an Oklahoma State basketball player of inappropriately touching two women at an off-campus party can also question two additional women who claim they were groped the same night.

Judge Phillip Corley ruled Thursday that prosecutors can present testimony from two women who claim they were groped by 22-year-old Darrell Williams. Williams has pleaded not guilty to rape by instrumentation and sexual battery.

Assistant District Attorney Jill Tontz told Corley the women did not immediately report the incident to law enforcement, so no charges were filed.

But Williams' attorney, Cheryl Ramsey, objected to the testimony. She says it could be prejudicial to jurors considering Williams' case when it goes to trial next week.